Despite filing for bankruptcy, Hooters vows to stay open
Hooters, the restaurant chain known for its wings and all-female waitstaff in signature orange uniforms, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite the filing, the brand insists it’s not going anywhere.
unbranded – Newsworthy
Restaurant chain Hooters began abruptly closing locations this month, despite previously saying it would not shutter restaurants during its bankruptcy proceedings.
Over 30 company-owned locations spanning more than a dozen states were shuttered, with the company on Wednesday, June 4 calling it a “difficult decision.”
The closures come after the chain agreed to sell all of its 151 company-owned restaurants to a franchise group that already owns locations across the U.S. The deal, backed by the company’s founders, was an attempt to address its $376 million in debt.
“Hooters is here to stay, and with a stronger financial foundation and streamlined operations on the other side of this process, we will be well-positioned to continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our valued customers and communities have come to expect well into the future,” the company wrote on its website after filing for bankruptcy in March.
Despite reassurances that Hooters would not be shut down, the company has been closing locations since at least 2024.
Hooters did not respond to follow-up inquiries about a full list of locations that closed or when employees were notified of the closures.
On June 4, it unceremoniously shuttered at least 30 locations. Here’s what we know so far.
Map of closed Hooters locations
See full list of Hooters locations closed
The following locations have been confirmed by USA TODAY to be closed, as a prerecorded message announcing the closure was played when the listed phone number was called:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
- Atlanta– Downtown
- Douglasville
- Gwinnett
- Valdosta
Indiana
Illinois
Kentucky
Michigan
Missouri
North Carolina
- Charlotte – South Boulevard
South Carolina
Tennessee
- Murfreesboro
- Memphis – Downtown
- Nashville – Harding Place, Largo Drive
Texas
- Grapevine
- Houston – 120 FM 1960 W
- San Marcos
The location page for the Fort Smith, Arkansas restaurant has been scrubbed from the website, though its phone line plays a welcome message. An attempt to order or transfer to the restaurant results in a “call cannot be transferred” message.
The location page for the Madison, Wisconsin restaurant is no longer available on the Hooters website and the listed phone number rings without answer.
